Updating the MPOT was a core recommendation of the 2002 Prince George's County Approved General Plan. The previous master plan of transportation was 27 years old when the update was approved in November 2009 and had been amended by 34 subsequently approved master plans.

The updated MPOT incorporates all previous amendments into one document. It provides a strategic planning, evaluation, and implementation framework for the multimodal, modern transportation network needed to support the growth and development envisioned in the 2002 General Plan.